Long-term fluctuations and effect of age on serum concentrations of certain fat-soluble vitamins in dairy cows

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient evidence in the literature concerning the fluctuations and correlations of serum fat-soluble vitamin concentrations during lactation in dairy cows and the potential effect of age of the animals on these values. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine fluctuations in mean serum concentrations of the fat-soluble vitamins A and E and b-carotene and the correlations among them in clinically healthy dairy cows, from the last month of the dry period until the end of lactation, and to investigate whether age was a factor that affects these serum concentrations. METHODS: Forty-five clinically healthy Holstein cows were assigned to 2 groups based on age. Group A consisted of 23 cows 4 years old (mean +/- SD, 3.24 +/- 0.44 years), and group B consisted of 22 cows >4 years old (6.68 +/- 1.66 years). Blood samples for determination of serum beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E concentrations were collected from each animal just before the start of study (1 month prior to expected parturition), at parturition, and thereafter, at monthly intervals until the end of lactation. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E values. Mean serum concentrations of beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E were significantly higher in younger animals. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that age is a factor affecting serum concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins in dairy cows.     

Effects of long-term feeding of a diet supplemented with clinoptilolite to dairy cows on the incidence of ketosis, milk yield and liver function

Fifty-two clinically healthy Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to their age and parity. The first group (A) consisted of 17 cows that were fed a concentrate ration supplemented with 1.25 per cent clinoptilolite, the second group (B) consisted of 17 cows fed a ration supplemented with 2.5 per cent clinoptilolite, and the third group (C) consisted of 18 cows, which were fed the basal ration containing no clinoptilolite. The rations were fed from four weeks before the cows' expected parturition dates until the beginning of the next dry period. Blood samples were collected from each animal at the start of the experiment, on the day of calving and then monthly, and analysed for serum glucose, ketone bodies, liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total proteins. The milk yield of each cow was recorded monthly. The cows in group B had significantly fewer cases of clinical ketosis during the first month after calving and a higher total milk yield. Feeding the cows with clinoptilolite for a long period had no apparent adverse effects on their liver function, and did not significantly affect the concentrations of glucose, ketone bodies, BUN and total proteins in their serum.     

Effects of long-term dietary supplementation with clinoptilolite on incidence of parturient paresis and serum concentrations of total calcium, phosphate, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dietary supplementation with clinoptilolite affects the incidence of parturient paresis and serum concentrations of total calcium (tCa), inorganic phosphorus (PO(4) (2)), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+) in dairy cattle. ANIMALS: 52 dairy cows. Procedure-Cows were placed into 3 groups. The first 2 groups (group A [n = 17] and group B [17]) were offered a concentrate supplemented with 1.25% and 2.5% clinoptilolite, respectively. The third (group C [n = 18]) served as a control and was offered the concentrate alone. The experiment started 1 month before parturition and lasted until the beginning of the next nonlactating period. Around the time of calving, all cows were monitored for the development of parturient paresis. Blood samples were taken at the commencement of the experiment, on the day of calving, and thereafter at monthly intervals to measure serum tCa, PO(4) (2), Mg2+, K+, and Na+ concentrations. Results-The incidence of parturient paresis in group B cows was significantly lower, compared with group C cows. However, serum concentrations of tCa, P(O4) (2), Mg2+, K+, and Na+ were not significantly affected by long-term supplementation with clinoptilolite. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the context of this experiment, clinoptilolite supplementation at 2.5% appeared to have reduced the incidence of parturient paresis in dairy cows, suggesting that its effectiveness depends on the amount incorporated in the ration of cows. Addition of clinoptilolite in the concentrate of dairy cows during the nonlactating period could be used as a cost-effective preventive treatment for parturient paresis.     

脂溶性维生素对牛肉品质的影响

脂溶性维生素是一类动物所必需的营养素,主要包括维生素A(VA)、维生素D(VD)、维生素E(VE)和维生素K(VK)。它们在动物体内广泛参与多种代谢过程,维持动物正常的生长发育和生产性能。脂溶性维生素的功能很多,如维持视觉正常、上皮组织完整、骨骼的正常发育和抗氧化等。脂溶性维生素对牛肉品质影响的研究进行较晚,目前已经知道除维生素K外,其他几种脂溶性维生素都能直接或间接地对肉品质产生不同程度的影响。1维生素A和β-胡萝卜素对牛肉品质的影响维生素A在维持动物视觉、繁殖、免疫和上皮组织完整性等方面的作用已经被充分证明,但有关…     

The orotic acid concentration in the blood, milk, and urine of dairy cows fed with urea supplemented diet

The experiment was performed on 4 cows Black and White, 550-650 kg of body weight, before and during 100 days after parturition. Two cows were fed with control and the next two with urea supplemented diet (urea-N constituting about 20% of total N in ration, 13% c.p. in DM). In cows fed with urea supplemented diet the considerable but unequal increase of urinary orotic acid excretion (particularly evident in first 30 days of lactation) was observed. There was however no influence of urea ration on the level of orotic acid in milk. The average orotic acid level in blood plasma (1.14 +/- 0.71 mumol X l-1 and 0.94 +/- 0.22 mumol X l-1 for control and urea fed cow respectively) established 0.01 and 0.001 of the average orotic acid concentration in urine and milk, respectively. Feeding with urea ration did not affect the level of orotic and UMP but increased the uridine concentration in blood plasma. During the parturition the lowest level of orotic acid in blood plasma, milk and urine was observed.     

Relationships of concentrations of certain blood constituents with milk yield and age of cows in dairy herds.

Regression analyses were performed on data from 48 Compton metabolic profile tests relating the concentrations of certain constituents in the blood of dairy cows to their milk yield, age and stage of lactation. The common partial regression coefficients for milk yield, age and stage of lactation were estimated for each blood constituent. The relationships of greatest statistical significance were between the concentrations of inorganic phosphate and globulin and age, and the concentration of albumin and milk yield.     

Performance of lactating dairy cows fed a diet based on treated rice straw and supplemented with pelleted sweet potato vines

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sweet potato vine pellet (SWEPP) in concentrate diets on nutrient digestibility and rumen ecology in lactating dairy cows fed on urea-treated rice straw. Three multiparous Holstein crossbred cows in mid-lactation were randomly assigned according to a 3?×?3 Latin square design, and the treatments were as follows: T1 = control (no supplementation), T2 = supplementation of sweet potato vine pellet with 50 g/kg urea (SWEPP I) at 300 g/head/day, and T3 = supplementation of sweet potato pellet with 100 g/kg urea (SWEPP II) at 300 g/head/day, in concentrate diets, respectively. The result revealed that supplementation of SWEPP did not affect feed intake, ruminal pH, and blood urea nitrogen (P?>?0.05). However, apparent digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber were higher in SWEPP II than those in others. Furthermore, ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) and milk yield were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) in animals fed with SWEPP II than those fed with SWEPP I and control, respectively. In addition, there were no differences in purine derivatives and microbial nitrogen supply among all the treatments. Based on this study, it could be concluded that SWEPP is a good source of supplement which resulted in significant improvement in apparent digestibility, rumen fermentation, and milk yield in lactating dairy cows fed on urea-treated rice straw.     

壳聚糖对奶牛产奶性能、乳体细胞数及血清免疫球蛋白的影响

试验旨在研究壳聚糖对奶牛产奶性能、乳体细胞数及血清IgG、IgM浓度的影响。试验选择12头胎次、体重、泌乳量、泌乳阶段相近(P>0.05)的成年荷斯坦奶牛,根据产奶量、产犊日期、胎次等相近的原则,采用配对分组试验,分为对照组和壳聚糖组,每组6头。对照组不添加壳聚糖,壳聚糖组每天每头牛饲粮中添加15g的壳聚糖。试验期为75d,前15d为预饲期,后60d为正试期。结果表明:在整个试验阶段,奶牛日粮中添加0.1%的壳聚糖可显著提高产奶量(P<0.05),对于乳成分含量没有明显影响,但是平均乳脂量有明显的增加趋势;日粮中添加0.1%的壳聚糖可以显著降低乳中体细胞数(P<0.05),对血清IgG、IgM浓度无明显影响。     

丙二醇对围产期奶牛日粮养分消化率的影响

选用24头体重(683.1±14.9)kg、胎次(2.5±0.2)、上一泌乳期305 d,产奶量(7 339±18)kg和预产期(24.5±0.2)d的经产奶牛,随机分为4组,从分娩前19 d到分娩后36 d分别在基础日粮中添加丙二醇0、150、300和450 ml/d,研究丙二醇对围产期奶牛采食量和日粮养分消化率的影响,结果表明:奶牛分娩后7、21和35 d干物质(DM)、有机物质(OM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)采食量显著高于分娩前(-21 d和-14 d),分娩后35 d各养分采食量显著高于分娩后7 d(P<0.05)。从分娩前14 d到分娩后35 d各组奶牛DM、OM和CP消化率呈先降低后升高的趋势,但差异均不显著;而分娩后7、21和35 d日粮NDF和ADF消化率显著低于分娩前(-21 d和-14d)(P<0.05)。日粮添加不同水平的丙二醇对围产期奶牛各养分采食量均无显著影响(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,日粮添加丙二醇300 ml/d和450 ml/d,显著提高分娩前14 d和分娩后7、21和35 d DM、NDF和ADF消化率,显著提高分娩后7、21和35 d OM消化率,显著提高分娩后7和21 d CP消化率(P<0.05)。本试验结果表明在日粮中添加丙二醇有益于改善围产期奶牛日粮消化率,适宜添加量为300 ml/d。     

Time course of changes in antioxidant activity of milk from dairy cows fed a trehalose‐supplemented diet

This study was to investigate the time course of changes to the antioxidant activity of milk from cows fed a trehalose‐supplemented diet, and to determine possible underlying mechanisms for observed changes. Six Holstein cows were used, and subjected to two experimental feeding periods consisting of a 1% trehalose‐supplemented diet for 10 days, followed by a basal diet only (no trehalose) for 10 days. 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities in milk were gradually increased during the trehalose supplementation period and were highest at the end of the second period. However, trehalose was not detected in the milk and plasma of dairy cows fed a diet supplemented with trehalose for 10 days, indicating that the increased antioxidant activity in the milk of trehalose‐fed cows is not due to the direct transfer of trehalose to the milk. Plasma DPPH activities exhibited a similar time course to that seen for milk. Relative superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the rumen were higher 3 days after the end of trehalose supplementation than at any other time during the experimental periods. These results suggested that the improved antioxidant activity in milk and plasma of cows fed a trehalose‐supplemented diet was due to improved ruminal relative SOD activity.     

Kinematic gait analysis and lactation performance in dairy cows fed a diet supplemented with zinc,manganese, copper and cobalt

This study investigated how supplementation of the diet of dairy cows with trace minerals (zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt) affected kinematic gait parameters and lactation performance. Eight Holstein cows were divided into two groups, with each group receiving a different dietary treatment (control diet, or control diet supplemented with trace minerals) in a two‐period crossover design. Kinematic gait parameters were calculated by using image analysis software. Compared to cows fed the control diet, cows that received the trace mineral‐supplemented diet exhibited significantly increased walking and stepping rates, and had a shorter stance duration. Feed intake and milk production increased in cows fed the trace mineral‐supplemented diet compared with control groups. The plasma manganese concentration was not different in control and experimental cows. In contrast, cobalt was only detected in the plasma of cows fed the supplemented diet. These results provide the first evidence that trace mineral supplementation of the diet of dairy cows affects locomotion, and that the associated gait changes can be detected by using kinematic gait analysis. Moreover, trace mineral supplementation improved milk production and only minimally altered blood and physiological parameters in dairy cows.     

Total serum bile acid concentrations in dairy cows with fatty liver and liver failure

In forty-five Holstein Frisian dairy cows (1-6 weeks post partum; mean age: 5.1 +/- 1.2 years) the serum total bile acid concentrations (SBA) were measured enzymatically. In all cows a left sided abomasal displacement was corrected surgically by right side laparotomy and omentopexy three days before investigation. The liver fat content was determined in all cows histologically. Liver failure was assumed if typical clinical signs (ataxia, general depression, recumbency or coma), an increased venous plasma ammonia level (> 35 mumol/l) and a decreased plasma amino acid index (< 4.0) were found. Cows without liver failure (N = 29) were grouped according to the liver fat content as cows with mild (N = 5), moderate (N = 19) or severe hepatosteatosis (N = 5). Histological examination of liver biopsies in cows with liver failure (N = 16) revealed in twelve cases a severe fatty liver and in four cases a hydropic degeneration of the liver tissue. Although in cows without liver failure mean SBA concentrations were higher in the group with moderate (47.3 +/- 30.9 mumol/l) or severe fatty liver (32.9 +/- 21.7 mumol/l) than in that with mild lipidosis (18.0 (16.8 mumol/l), differences were not significant. The mean SBA concentration in cows with liver failure (70.5 +/- 49.5 mumol/l) was only significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to cows with uncomplicated mild hepatic lipidosis. In conclusion, the determination of SBA concentrations is of little value in the recognition of fatty liver or even liver failure due to the considerable variance of SBA concentrations in dairy cows.     

Effects of increasing days of exposure to prepartum diets on the concentration of certain blood metabolites in dairy cows

Objective To evaluate the effect of the number of days exposure to a prepartum transition diet on mineral, energy and protein metabolism in dairy cows. Design A prospective cohort study. Procedures The prepartum transition diet consisted of ryegrass pasture, cereal hay, grain, grain by-product, protein meals, BioChlor®, rumen modifiers, minerals and vitamins and contained 13.9% crude protein, 10.0 MJ metabolisable energy/kg and a dietary cation anion difference of −35 meq/kg dry matter. Forty cows were bled bi-weekly from their introduction to the prepartum transition diet until day 35 of lactation. Blood samples were submitted for estimation of a range of metabolites. Cubic smoothed splines were fitted to scatterplots of metabolite concentration as a function of day relative to calving and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Linear regression modelling determined the effect of days exposed, age, body condition score (BSC) and calving day on AUC. Results The prepartum AUC of blood phosphorus and beta-hydroxybutyrate increased and the AUC of blood calcium and cholesterol decreased with increasing days exposed to the diet. The postpartum AUC of beta-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids decreased with increasing days exposed but increased with days exposed × age and days exposed × BCS, respectively. The AUC of other metabolites did not vary significantly with number of days exposed. Conclusions Increasing exposure to the prepartum diet significantly altered the AUC of blood metabolites associated with mineral, energy and protein metabolism in ways consistent with improvements in production and reproduction previously reported and the result suggests links between energy, protein and skeletal metabolism.     

裹包全混合日粮中添加双乙酸钠对奶牛生产性能及消化特性的影响

本试验旨在研究裹包全混合日粮(TMR)中添加双乙酸钠对奶牛生产性能及消化特性的影响.试验选用30头产奶量、胎次、泌乳天数相近的荷斯坦奶牛采用完全随机试验设计,分成3组,每组10头,分别为精粗分开饲喂组(SI)、裹包全混合日粮组(bTMR)和裹包TMR中添加双乙酸钠组(SDA),日粮精粗比均为50:50.试验期10周.试验结果表明,与SI组相比裹包TMR饲喂奶牛极显著提高奶牛干物质采食量、粗脂肪和粗蛋白质的表现消化率(P<0.01),产奶量、4%标准乳、干物质和有机物的表现消化率也有所提高(P>0.05).裹包TMK中添加SDA组奶牛乳脂率、乳脂产量显著提高(P<0.05),乳糖含量也较SI组显著提高(P<0.05),粗脂肪、粗蛋白质的表观消化率和4%标准乳也极显著提高(P<0.01).与精粗分开饲喂方式相比,采用裹包TMR饲喂奶牛可提高奶牛的产奶性能和日粮养分表现消化率,且在裹包TMR中添加双乙酸钠可显著提高乳脂率和乳脂产量(P<0.05).     

Influence of different copper and zinc supply on their concentrations in blood serum, liver and hair of dairy cows

In a feeding trial at the Institute of Animal Nutrition of the Federal Research Institute of Animal Health (FLI) over 12 weeks with 20 cows of the German Holstein Breed the influence of different copper and zinc contents in the ration on their concentration in blood serum, liver and hair was tested. All animals received a diet based on maize- and grass silage ad libitum. The animals were divided in two groups with 10 cows each; group A received a concentrate according to their milk yield with a copper and zinc content as recommended (GfE 2001), whereas group B was offered a concentrate with roughly the double amount of copper and zinc. At the beginning and at the end of the trial a sample of blood, pigmented hair and a liver bioptate was taken from all animals to evaluate the incorporation of copper and zinc in these tissues. In serum and pigmented hair the copper concentrations did not differ between the two groups [13.4 for Group A and 12.5 micromol/L for Group B in serum respectively 6.8 (Group A) and 7.4 mg/kg DM (Group B) in pigmented hair]. Only the copper concentration in the liver was influenced by the different feeding. The higher copper content for group B resulted in a significantly higher copper concentration in the liver (506 mg/kg DM compared to 383 mg/kg DM). The liver is the best indicator organ for a sufficient copper supply. An increase in the zinc content in the ration resulted neither in higher zinc concentrations in serum (15.1 in Group B in comparison to 13.4 micromol/L for Group A) nor in higher zinc concentrations in liver (140 for Group B and 112 mg/kg DM for Group A) and pigmented hair (130 in Group A and 123 mg/kg DM in Group B). There is a significant correlation between copper intake and copper concentration in the liver (r = 0.46), whereas the correlation between zinc intake and zinc concentration in the liver is only tendencially (r = 0.23). The three tested samples serum, liver and cow hair are not qualified to reflect exactly a sufficient zinc supply.     

Effects of long-term dietary cadmium chloride on tissue, milk, and urine mineral concentrations of lactating dairy cows.

The effects of long-term consumption of 1 and 5 ppm of Cd on Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations in milk and a variety of tissues of first-lactation dairy cows was investigated. Thirty-six Holstein heifers were allocated to three groups and fed similar diets differing only in the concentration of Cd (.25, 1, and 5 ppm) for a 394-d period before calving. One- and 5-ppm Cd concentrations were achieved using CdCl2. Liver, kidney cortex, and muscle were biopsied from one-half of the heifers of each group before Cd supplementation and again from the same heifers within 5 d after parturition. Colostrum and milk were sampled throughout the 150 d of lactation. Urine was sampled after an average of 450 d of Cd exposure. At slaughter (after an average of 554 d), 11 tissues were sampled from 12 cows representing all treatment groups. During the first 394 d, Cd accumulated in kidney and liver with increasing dietary concentrations of Cd but did not further increase by 554 d. However, by 554 d Cd had also accumulated in the adrenal glands, ovaries, spleen, and uteri of cows consuming 5 ppm of Cd. Dietary Cd did not influence the concentration of Cd, Cu, Fe, or Zn in colostrum or milk. However, urine pH, Zn, and K were lower in cows consuming 5 ppm of Cd. Liver Cu was reduced by 1 and 5 ppm of Cd at both 394 and 554 d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

裹包TMR饲喂对泌乳中期奶牛生产性能、养分表观消化率及血液生化指标的影响

为了研究裹包全混合日粮(TMR)饲喂方式对泌乳奶牛生产性能、养分表观消化率和血液指标的影响,本试验选择24头泌乳天数为(124±20)d的荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为2个处理组,进行为期10周的饲养试验。对照组采用传统的精粗分开饲喂方式,试验组采用裹包TMR饲喂方式,精粗分开饲喂组和裹包TMR饲喂组的日粮配方组成和比例均相同,日粮精料比例为50∶50,裹包TMR水分含量调整为50%。结果表明,1)饲喂裹包TMR,可以显著增加干物质采食量(P<0.05),提高产奶量7.69%并提高3.5%标准乳产量5.20%(P>0.05);2)裹包TMR饲喂方式与精粗分开饲喂方式对乳成分含量和产量的影响差异不显著;3)裹包TMR饲喂可以显著提高粗蛋白和粗脂肪的表观消化率(P<0.05),干物质消化率有提高的趋势(P<0.1);4)裹包TMR饲喂显著降低了血清中尿素氮的含量(P<0.05),但对其他血液指标影响2组间差异不显著。裹包TMR技术可以作为一种有效的全混合日粮供给方式,可在我国中小规模奶牛养殖场和个体养殖户中推荐使用,以期提高奶牛生产性能和综合收益。     

Effects of repeated jugular puncture on plasma cortisol concentrations in loose-housed dairy cows

In three experiments, the effects of venipuncture on plasma cortisol concentrations were studied in loose-housed dairy cows. In Exp. 1, two blood samples were collected 18 min apart on three alternate days from 20 dairy cows for studying their adrenocortical response to a single venipuncture. To further evaluate the effect of cows anticipating venipuncture, in Exp. 2, 15 dairy cows were sequentially venipunctured once daily on 12 successive days in a randomized order in groups of five, starting 15 min apart. In Exp. 3, 10 primiparous cows were used on three alternate days to study habituation to serial sampling (i.e., collection of five blood samples by venipuncture, 15 min apart). In cows accustomed to handling, jugular puncture did not affect cortisol concentrations in plasma collected 18 min later. Average daily cortisol concentrations varied between 2.07 +/- .38 and 3.81 +/- .56 ng/mL in the first (t = 0) and between 1.43 +/- .15 and 2.61 +/- .72 ng/mL in the second (t = 18) blood samples. Likewise, when cows were sampled sequentially once a day, the order of sampling between and within groups did not influence (P > .05) plasma cortisol concentrations. In contrast, primiparous dairy cows that were less used to being handled showed an average increase in cortisol concentrations when five samples were collected by venipuncture 15 min apart. During successive sampling sessions, however, the cows did not decrease or increase plasma cortisol concentrations in response to repeated serial sampling at the group level (P > .05). Between individuals, the maximum effect of repeated venipuncture on cortisol concentrations (4.5 to 22.6 ng/mL), the time at which the effect reached its maximum (30 to 60 min), and the consistency of the response pattern over successive series varied largely. The results of this study show that in cows that were accustomed to handling and to being restrained, baseline cortisol concentrations can be measured in single blood samples that are collected by jugular puncture within 1 min after first approaching the cow. When successive blood samples need to be collected within 15 to 20 min, jugular puncture may induce an increase in cortisol concentration, which seems to depend on the handling experience of the animals and on individual differences.     

Effects of feeding rumen-protected choline on incidence of diseases and reproduction of dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of feeding rumen-protected choline (RPC) to dairy cows on the incidence of disease in early lactation, and on their fertility as measured by return to ovarian cyclicity and pregnancies per insemination (P/AI). In the first experiment, 369 cows were fed 15 g/day of RPC between 25 days pre-calving and 80 days post calving. In the second experiment, 578 primigravid cows were fed 15 g/day of RPC for the last 21 days of gestation only. In both experiments, P/AI were evaluated for the first and second inseminations, and health disorders were monitored daily until 90 days after calving. Return to cyclicity was evaluated in experiment 1 only, on days 51 and 61 post calving. In the first experiment, feeding RPC reduced the incidence of clinical ketosis, mastitis, and morbidity, and the number of cases of mastitis per cow. Feeding RPC did not influence cyclicity and P/AI. In the second experiment, cows fed RPC tended to have greater morbidity than controls because of an increased incidence of metritis and fever, although the incidence of retained fetal membranes was lower. The P/AI for first and second inseminations were similar between treatments. Supplementing the diets of dairy cattle with RPC from before until after calving improved the health of early lactation cows. However, in primigravid cows feeding RPC before calving only had mixed effects on health. Feeding RPC had no beneficial effects on reproduction in either experiment.